Russian cargo ship sinks in Mediterranean

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A Russian cargo ship operated by the Protection Ministry’s logistics fleet sank Tuesday in worldwide waters between Spain and Algeria whereas en route from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok.

The ship, named Ursa Main, sank following an explosion in its engine room. Two crew members are nonetheless lacking, whereas 14 others had been rescued and brought to the Spanish port of Cartagena, the Russian Overseas Ministry mentioned.

Measuring 142 meters lengthy – about one and a half soccer fields – the Ursa Main was the biggest ship operated by Oboronlogistika, a logistics arm of the Russian navy, and had a cargo capability of as much as 1,200 tonnes .

The Essential Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the Ministry of Protection said that the ship had beforehand transported items between Russia and Iran within the Caspian Sea earlier than being reassigned to Syria-related routes.

The ship was transporting cranes and icebreaker gear to Vladivostok as a part of a “state mission” to develop the Northern Sea Route, in response to info printed on the Oboronlogistika web site.

Lately, Moscow has championed the Northern Sea Route as a sooner different to the Suez Canal for transportation to China, Russia’s largest buying and selling associate, which it more and more depends on within the face of sanctions. Western.

The route extends solely into Arctic waters, however has turn out to be extra navigable throughout the summer time months on account of world warming.

A regular journey from the port of Primorsk in northern Russia to China by way of the Suez Canal takes 45 days, whereas the Northern Sea Route reduces this to 35 days.